Plans to finish at the summit of Col du Galibier have had to be abandoned

Giro d'Italia organisers have been forced to drop tomorrow's planned stage finish at the summit of the famous Col du Galibier due to continuing bad weather.

Stage 15 of the race was due to offer a nod to this year's 100th running of the Tour de France by including the famous summit in the French Alps.

However, poor weather has hampered the Giro so far, with today's mountain stage from Cervere to Bardonecchia diverted around one category two climb while snow fell at the finish and the riders battled heavy rain and fog.

That had led to all sorts of speculation regarding radical redesigns of tomorrow's stage which includes the Mont Cenis pass and Col du Telegraphe before an assault on the Galibier which has been the scene of so many of the Tour's famous moments.

Organisers said tonight that, following talks with local authorities in Valloire, the course will remain intact bar the final 4.25 kilometres, with the finish brought down to the Pantani Monument - which marks the spot where the late Italian rider launched his famous attack during the 1998 Tour.

Organisers said conditions would be monitored overnight in case any further revisions were required.

A statement said: "Following the order by the Valloire Prefecture, and taking note that - after 24 hours, following the assessment of the weather conditions - the Prefecture itself has revised its position, by authorizing the original course of stage 15, the direction of the Giro d'Italia integrally confirms the original itinerary except for the last 4,250 (4.25) kms.

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